After an impressive start to the 2026/27 campaign, Leeds United’s hopes of pushing for a place in Europe next season have started to stagnate over recent weeks.
Daniel Farke’s side have failed to win any of their last five games, scoring just twice in the process, which has seen the Whites slip down to 12th position and below newly-promoted Hull City.
The manager has left supporters confused with his tactical decisions as of late, which has seen him put faith in one player who has underperformed during his time at Elland Road.
Why Farke desperately needs to drop Harry Wilson
After his summer move from Fulham, many Leeds supporters thought the club had pulled off one of the deals of the window by signing Harry Wilson on a free transfer.
The Welsh international was seen as a transformative addition, but it’s safe to say his time at Elland Road is yet to ingnite like many anticipated.
He’s featured in seven league games this campaign to date, but only three of which have come from a starting role – including each of the last two games which saw the Whites fail to score.
The 29-year-old has struggled in the outings against Sunderland and Bournemouth, with his stats from the latter of the two meetings showcasing his issues.
Wilson featured for 84 minutes of the 2-0 defeat on Saturday, but could only make two passes into the final third – highlighting his lack of creativity in forward areas.
He also failed to complete any dribbles during the loss to the Cherries, which no doubt contributed to the Whites’ inability to find the back of the net at the Vitality.
Why Bahoya will be fuming with Farke at Leeds
Like Wilson, Leeds also completed the deal for promising attacker Jean-Mateo Bahoya from Eintracht Frankfurt with the hopes he can inject further quality into the frontline.
The Frenchman arrived on loan with an obligation to buy for £25m next summer, but he’s yet to make the impact many supporters tipped him to after his subsequent deal.
The 21-year-old has only featured three times in the Premier League to date, all as a substitute, with his time on the pitch totalling just a measly 11 minutes to date.
Farke spoke out about the constant calls he’s had to unleash the youngster in his senior side, and asked for patience from the supporters if they are to see the best of the attacker.
|
Leeds attackers PL mins (2026/27) |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Rank |
Player |
PL appearances |
Minutes |
|
1 |
Dominic Calvert-Lewin |
9 |
776 |
|
2 |
Noah Okafor |
8 |
473 |
|
3 |
Harry Wilson |
7 |
315 |
|
4 |
Brenden Aaronson |
8 |
285 |
|
5 |
Lukas Nmecha |
8 |
121 |
|
6 |
Daniel James |
4 |
117 |
|
7 |
Jean-Mattéo Bahoya |
3 |
11 |
However, given the recent struggles within the final third, Bahoya undoubtedly has every right to be angry with the manager for his lack of senior action at Elland Road.
Why £18m star must be starting ahead of Wilson for Leeds
Undoubtedly, all Leeds supporters will be wanting Wilson to turn his poor start to life in Yorkshire around, but there’s no denying he’s struggled to adapt to Farke’s system.
Operating in one of the two number ten roles behind the striker has no doubt had an impact on his performances and contributed to his struggles at Elland Road.
As a result, the manager desperately needs to make changes to his starting eleven, which should see Anton Stach handed a route back into the squad in the games ahead.
The German was a vital part of the Whites’ early season success, even scoring the winner in the opening day victory over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
However, he’s since struggled for game time under Farke and has been utilised as a substitute in each of the club’s last two matches in the Premier League.
Such a decision has baffled the supporters in Yorkshire over recent weeks, with the manager’s choices certainly costing the senior ranks vital points in England’s top-flight.
His stats from the current campaign showcase his incredible ability in attacking areas and showcase why the player has every right to be fuming with his compatriot.
Stach has registered an impressive tally of 1.7 shots per 90 this campaign, a figure which is higher than Wilson and above 82% of other players in his position this term.
He’s also provided an impressive average of 1.3 chances created per 90, which, like his shooting ability, is higher than the tally achieved by the Welsh international.
His set-piece is another key asset to his all-round game, and has subsequently allowed him to pick out a teammate with 1.1 of his efforts per 90 in 2026/27.
As a result, the German has ranked above 92% of players in the Premier League to date, with Wilson also one of the players unable to emulate such an impact.
Stach has no doubt been a vital member of the Leeds senior squad which has become an established side within the Premier League over the last 12 months.
Starting Wilson over the midfielder is certainly an unpopular one with the supporters, and he must right the wrongs of the fall in their next outing in England’s top-flight.
